Creative spirit of reinvention helps inspire artists
An exhibition is about to open in Bath featuring the work of four sculptors and installation artists.
The sculptor, Fiona Campbell and three other emerging artists, who reinvented themselves at the midpoint of their lives will be exhibited at the first show at Walcot Chapel, Bath since it closed for lockdown 2020.
Fiona Campbell, Kelly O’brien, Kate Mcdonnell and Nicola Turner are exhibiting together for Materiality – an exhibition celebrating the importance of materials in sculpture and installation art.
This exhibition showcases large-scale objects and interventions into the architecture of the gallery space.
“I’m able to go for opportunities now that a younger version of me may have found beyond my reach,” said Kelly O’brien. “Especially after the rigour of the master’s degree, I now have the language and visual fluency on which to build my practice for the long-run.”
“Older women artists are incredibly inspiring,” she added. “Developing an art practice takes a long time, but they are proving there’s no reason people coming to this career later in life shouldn’t go for it. It’s outdated thinking that this game is only for the young.”
And by the standards of recent art world darlings – women in their 80s, 90s, and beyond – these four women are relative youngsters. Midlife reinvention is nothing new, and for Fiona Campbell, Kelly O’brien, Kate Mcdonnell and Nicola Turner it is taking the
form of embracing a career as an artist. They come from different backgrounds and met when completing their masters degrees in fine art at Bath Spa University.
They will be exhibiting their work together for the first time this year, after delays due to Covid. Delays have not discouraged
these women. In different ways, they have each come to this point in their lives and careers, with what could be perfect timing.
The exhibition runs April 27 May 1, 12-6pm at Walcot Chapel, Walcot St, Bath BA1 5UG; Private View Tuesday, April 26, 6-8pm.